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Former NFL quarterback, Dan Orlovsky not pleased Tua Tagovailoa was benched against Broncos

Tua Tagovailoa runs with the ball versus Denver Broncos
Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing - USA TODAY Sports

Prior to Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos, Tua Tagovailoa had one moment in his life that did not go his way and he was able to learn from it.

During his time at the Elite 11 quarterback competition with Trent Dilfer, the former Super Bowl champion challenged him to become a better leader and decision maker with the football. He knew Tagovailoa was talented, but Dilfer also saw him as an athlete who is capable of much more. He took the coaching of Dilfer and before he arrived at the University of Alabama as a five-star true freshman in 2017, Tagovailoa was the Most Valuable Player of the competition in 2016.

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As the No. 5 overall pick of the Miami Dolphins, the native Hawaiian faced another challenge this week.

He was benched for Ryan Fitzpatrick after completing 11 of 20 passes for 83 yards with one touchdown, in a 13-20 loss versus the Broncos.

Regardless of him not being as sharp as he was in meetings with Arizona and Los Angeles Chargers, Tagovailoa did not get any protection from his offensive line. The rookie quarterback was sacked six times and Miami could not effectively run the ball.

Although his performance was referred to as “poor,” one former NFL quarterback was not pleased at all with Tagovailoa getting benched.

Dan Orlovsky, a retired 12-year NFL veteran and an analyst for ESPN, saw nothing poor from Tagovailoa’s game.

Obviously, he wanted to produce better numbers yet the Broncos crafted the perfect plan against Tagovailoa.

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Despite the disappointment of Orlovsky, the Dolphins are not moving off the rookie.

According to Cameron Wolfe, a beat reporter for the Dolphins via ESPN, Brian Flores (head coach) and Fitzpatrick both assured Tagovailoa that this is his team.

No one performs better after a teachable moment than Tagovailoa.

He did it at the Elite 11, he bounced back from a sack in the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship Game and fired a game-winning touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith for Alabama, and he is set to turn this situation into a positive one.

RELATED: Tua Tagovailoa sacked six times, gets benched in loss to Broncos

Galu Tagovailoa, Tua’s father, coached him hard as a child. He has taken hard coaching and it’s benefited him throughout his football career.

Dilfer was on him hard and Nick Saban pushed Tagovailoa as well. He will do fine with Flores moving forward.

The main thing for Miami is drafting offensive linemen, running backs and a couple more receiving options for Tagovailoa.

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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine.  You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.

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Stephen Smith is a 2015 graduate of the University of Alabama. He is a senior writer and reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. He has covered Alabama football for 10+ years and his knowledge and coverage of the Crimson Tide's program have made him among the most respected journalist in his field. Smith has been featured on ESPN and several other marquee outlets as an analyst.

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